Advantages of aqueous catalytic reaction in THFDM synthesis

Water is a common solvent on the earth, and it is non-toxic and non-polluting. It is better than traditional organic solvents in terms of environmental friendliness. In the THFDM synthesis process, traditional organic solvents are not only volatile and highly toxic, but also harmful to the environment and operators. Water as a solvent does not cause these problems. The use of aqueous catalytic systems can significantly reduce the emission of harmful solvents and reduce the risk of air and water pollution.
Improve reaction rate and selectivity
The solvation effect in aqueous catalytic systems helps to increase the reaction rate. Due to its polarity and strong hydrogen bonding, water can stabilize intermediates or transition states, thereby promoting the reaction. For example, during the hydrogenation of furfural to produce THFDM, the polarity of water can increase the rate of carbonyl and olefin hydrogenation reactions. Especially through bifunctional catalysts, the presence of water helps to enhance the supply of protons, thereby promoting the reduction process and increasing the efficiency of THF ring formation.
The high polarity and hydrogen bonding of water can also affect the active center of the catalyst and increase the adsorption capacity of the substrate on the catalyst surface. For example, in the presence of nickel or copper-based catalysts, water can help activate substrate molecules, making it easier for biomass-based raw materials such as furfural or furfuryl alcohol to interact with the catalyst, thereby increasing the selectivity of the reaction. Aqueous phase catalysis can sometimes significantly reduce the occurrence of side reactions, such as excessive reduction or unnecessary decomposition reactions, thereby increasing the yield of the target product THFDM.
Reduce energy consumption
The high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of water make it an good reaction medium, capable of providing sufficient energy to sustain reactions at low temperatures. Compared with many traditional organic solvent systems that require high temperatures and pressures, aqueous-phase reactions are often performed under milder conditions, reducing dependence on external energy sources and thus reducing energy consumption. This feature of reducing energy demand not only complies with the principles of green chemistry, but also reduces reaction costs, which can greatly improve economic benefits, especially in large-scale industrial synthesis.